Sony HDR-TG3
Sony’s TG3 is an impressive device that combines the ‘point-and-shoot’ simplicity of the Flip Ultra with the image quality of a high-definition camcorder. Its 1080i resolution produces very good quality video, and is complemented by 10x optical zoom and 5.1 surround sound audio recording. Thankfully, the TG3 is sold with a 4GB Memory Stick to get you started, which holds about 30 minutes of video at maximum resolution. We also like the little docking unit that is supplied with the TG3 for connecting it to your computer. Admittedly, it’s not the most elegant camcorder we’ve ever seen, but its titanium casing is nice and solid, and should ensure that the TG3 can survive a few bumps and knocks when you carry it around in your pocket.
Reg Rating 85%
Price £600 Click to compare prices
More Info Sony Europe
Toshiba Camileo Pro HD
The Camileo Pro HD strikes a good balance between pocket-size portability, image quality and affordability. Priced at just under £140, it’s also small enough to carry around in your pocket so that you can capture the action when you’re out with friends. However, it has a much higher resolution than models such as the Creative Vado or Flip Ultra, capturing HD video at 720p.
It’s also got a handy 3x optical zoom, and captures video in the H.264 format used by portable devices such as the iPod and PlayStation Portable. The only minor disappointment is that its 128MB of built-in memory will only store a few minutes of HD video, so you’ll need to budget a bit extra to buy your own memory card.
Reg Rating 80%
Price £140 Click to compare prices
More Info Toshiba UK
Ten of the Best... Pocket Camcorders
COMMENTS
Bundled memory? No thanks
Nice set of reviews, but it's strange that you place such value on built-in or bundled memory. Surely most people own memory cards already? I don't want the price of my gadgets being pushed up by unwanted integrated memory. The kind of pathetically small cards that are typically included just end up left in a drawer anyway, replaced with whatever size of memory card is currently offering the best value for money (e.g. 16GB at the moment).
Re: Panasonic HDC-SD9 (Jolyon Ralph)
You also forgot the other bad things about this camera:
- SD card can not be read by PC, so you need to read it through the camera attached via USB
- in order to access the camera over usb, you are forced to attach it to external power. No accessing usb while on batteries. Yes, silly isn't it?
- the tripod thread seems incompatible with my tripod (which works fine with all my other cameras)
Apart from that, I have to note that Nero8 (Nero vision) handles the recordings perfectly.
Dont forget your phone
Many phones can take video as well as or even better than the lower end of this round-up, & have a colour screen thrown it. You are much more likely to remember to carry your phone than a camcorder, so if you want to be able to capture youtube moments learn how to use it...
I have a Tony Hawk helmet cam as I didnt want to strap my phone to my head when snowboarding! However, it is dreadful - 320x240 res @ something like 15fps, monstrous battery consumption & doesnt work with rechargable batteries. And the battery compartment is actually too tight for the batteries - I have to peel the graphics off them to get them to fit! I think I'll flog it on ebay to someone who hasnt read this post!
Aiptek and Toshiba apparently the same
I think that the Aiptek and the toshiba are actually the same hardware internally, so you probably should go with the cheapest (in France the Aiptek is actually cheaper than the Toshiba, which is why I bought that one).
What I can say about the Aiptek is that battery life is far from stellar, but the it arrived with 2 battery packs in the box, which made up for it.
The video files produced by these cameras are sometimes difficult to handle, however I had good results transcoding the files with the free application mediacoder (http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/).
Video quality is OK during the day, however in low light condition my Aiptek has problem producing quality video. Don't expect the quality of a £600 HD camcorder in a £200 one.
I can vouch for the FS100
C'mon guys, this ain't no review, Ten of the Best ?, List of the latest more like,
I bought the Canon FS100 in April,
I wanted a simple Camcorder that recorded to memory card, no moving parts etc.
Its SD, not HD, but it outshines some of the cheap HD cams I've used,
after all it's got real Canon optics.
Battery life is great,
software isn't too bad,
beyond 20x optical zoom hello, mr pixelface, below 20x, clear and sharp, good colour balance
I get hours on an 8Gb SD card.
Top requirement for me, an external microphone socket, this makes ALL the difference.
Overall a fantastic camera, I probably wouldn't have bought it if I simply looked at the spec sheets, I'm glad I applied more thought
